“Bridging the Gap” is a 12-week program that hires at-risk and high-risk youth and helps them develop the skills they need to get and hold a job.

“It helps them with I think, confidence, self-esteem and hope, said Bridging the Gap Director Christy Torres. “That they will become someone in the future to keep them on the road with their skills.”

Bridging the Gap graduate Jose Santiago is now helping to teach the latest round of at Risk youth.

“Don’t ever give up on what you want to do,” Santiago told 22News. “Yah, there’s gonna people that are gonna walk into your life and walk right back out. But you have yourself and you got your family. Keep being you and you will succeed.”